What is the CGFNS Certification
Program?

3. Demonstration of passing one of the accepted English language proficiency examinations

It is a requirement for licensure by some State Boards of Nursing to take the NCLEX-RN® exam.

Who orders this service?

First-level, general nurses educated outside the United States who wish to practice nursing in the United States use this service. A first-level, general nurse (as defined historically by the International Council of Nurses) is also called a registered (RN) or a professional nurse in some countries.

Second-level nurses are not eligible to be licensed as registered nurses in the United States and therefore cannot be approved to take the CGFNS Qualifying Exam®. A second-level nurse may be called an enrolled, vocational or practical nurse or a nurse assistant.

Benefits of the CGFNS Certification Program

At the state level, the Certification Program is a requirement for licensure by specific State Boards of Nursing in order to take the NCLEX-RN® exam.

At the federal level, the CGFNS Qualifying Exam® component satisfies the examination requirement of the VisaScreen®: Visa Credentials Assessment for immigration.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Required Documents for the CGFNS Certification Program generally include the following :

Secondary School Information

Submit a photocopy of your secondary school diploma or external exam certificate for the highest level of secondary education you have received. Secondary school (high school) is a school intermediate between elementary school (primary school) and university, usually offering general, technical, vocational, or college-preparatory courses.

If this document is not in English, it can betranslated by the applicant or someone chosen by the applicant. Translations must contain a Certificate of Accuracy (see below) signed by the person who translated the document.

* This requirement is waived if you completed secondary education more than 10 years ago.

License / Registration / Diploma Information

CGFNS validates:

Initial license / registration / diploma as a first-level, general nurse in your country of education

A current license / registration / diplomas a first-level, general nurse in any jurisdiction

Professional Education Information

A complete academic record or transcript from each educational institution attended for the profession being evaluated.

These documents must be in English and must be translated by an official registered translator. CGFNS can translate documents for an additional fee.

PHOTO

To complete your application, you will need to upload a passport-style photograph.

Technical Requirements

Your photograph must be:

JPG FILE TYPE

LESS THAN 5MB

SQUARE

IN FULL-COLOR

Click for Passport Photo Tips and Best Practices (Courtesy of U.S. Department of State)

Sized such that the head is between 1″ (25mm) and 1 3/8″ (35mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.

Taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance

Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background

Taken in full-face view directly facing the camera

With a neutral facial expression and both eyes open

Taken in clothing that you normally wear on a daily basis:

Uniforms should not be worn in your photo, except religious clothing that is worn daily.

Do not wear a hat or head covering that obscures the hair or hairline, unless worn daily for a religious purpose. Your full face must be visible, and the head covering must not cast any shadows on your face.

Headphones, wireless hands-free devices or similar items are not acceptable in your photo.

If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device or similar articles, they may be worn for your photo.

Dark glasses or non-prescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons (a medical certificate may be required)

Glare on glasses is not acceptable in your photo. Glare can be avoided with a slight downward tilt of the glasses or by removing the glasses or by turning off the camera flash.

For Additional Information:

FEES

FEES

Services

Description

Certification Program application

$445.00

Certification Program application

Re-Examination application

$350.00

Certification Program application

Reprocess an expired application

$175.00

12 month extension of a paid in full application, which was not completed during initial required time period. Note: only one reprocess application is accepted after a first Certification Program application expires

Certificate verification letter

$100.00

Official letter verifying that a Certification Program CGFNS certificate was issued

Replacement CGFNS certificate

$150.00

Replaces an original Certification Program CGFNS Certificate

Reprocess an expired re-examination application

$175.00

12-month expired paid in full re-examination application which did not meet approval requirements within original time period

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ?

OUR MISSION

The mission of CGFNS International, Inc. (also known as the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) is to serve the global community through programs and services that verify and promote the knowledge-based practice competency of health care professionals.